A recent survey has shed light on the alarming increase in hate crimes against the Muslim population in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Between 2015 and the present day, there have been 418 documented incidents of crimes driven by religious hatred in this region.
Uttar Pradesh, home to a significant Muslim population and the highest number of inmates in the country, has seen disturbing campaigns targeting Muslims, including “Love Jihad,” “Halal Jihad,” “Ghar Wapsi,” “Daughters’ Protection, Bring Daughters-in-law,” “Hijab Enforcement,” and “Cow Vigilantism,” gaining traction.
Under the governance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Uttar Pradesh reported 13,000 crimes against minorities in 2022. According to a 2016 report from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, the state detains the largest number of Muslims, with over 18,000 Muslims incarcerated in its prisons. Tragically, Muslims also constitute the highest number of casualties in encounters with the police.
The situation is exacerbated by government scrutiny of the salaries of 21,000 teachers in Madrasas across Uttar Pradesh. Incidents like the 2015 lynching of a Muslim man named Mohammad Akhlaq on suspicions of cow slaughter, which led to communal tensions, have also left a deep impact. In a controversial move, the Yogi government rewarded the 15 accused killers with government jobs in 2017.
More recent events include the arson of over 200 huts belonging to Muslims by a BJP leader in Meerut, allegations of offenses against Muslims for offering Eid prayers during Ramadan, and an extremist leader’s incitement to attack the Kaaba. These incidents paint a disturbing picture of communal tension and violence.
In April 2023, extremist Hindus, including politicians, opened fire on Muslim politician Ateek Ahmed, leaving him critically injured even under police protection. Other disturbing occurrences include a Hindu school teacher slapping a 7-year-old Muslim boy, and the acquittal of the accused in the 2020 rape and murder case of a Muslim woman, Gulnaz, which garnered international attention.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has faced intense scrutiny due to his alleged involvement in promoting hatred against Muslims. His controversial statements, such as referring to actor Shah Rukh Khan as a terrorist, demanding the removal of a portrait of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, labeling Muslims as a “virus,” and advocating for the renaming of cities and historical sites in alignment with Hindu cultural names, have further exacerbated tensions.
The situation has escalated with demands to rename cities and even discussions about demolishing the iconic Taj Mahal to build a temple in its place. These rising hate crimes and escalating communal tensions in Uttar Pradesh raise serious concerns about religious harmony in India’s most populous state.
